Fence for graves



(No Mode1.)'

G. W. SCHA'EFER. 'I FENCE FORGRAVES.

UNITED l STATES PATENT OFFIcn.

GEORGE IVILLIAM SOHAEFER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

FENCE FOR GRAVES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 557,030, dated March24, 1896.

Application filed September 9,1895. Serial No. 551,928. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE WILLIAM SCHAEFER, of the city of St. Louis,State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inInclosing Fences for Graves, Flower-Beds, &c., of which the following isa full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to an improved inclosing fence for graves,flower-beds, dac.; and it consists in the novel features of constructionhereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of a portion of myimproved inclosing fence. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one of thesections of my improved inclosing fence, the same being shown inposition in the ground. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. l.Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of one of the sections. Fig. 5 is a view inperspective of one of the sections.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, l indicatesthe bodyportion of my improved inclosing fence, and from a point approximatelythe middle of its length said body portion is tapered downwardly andinwardly, said tapered portion being indicated by the numeral 2. Thelower edge of the body portion 1 is sharpened, as indicated by thenumeral 3.

Fixed to or formed integral with the upper portion of the body lis athickened or enlarged portion 4, and said enlarged portion may besurmounted by an ornamental head 5 of any suitable design. The enlargedportion 4 is not as wide as the body portion 1, and a cut-away portion 6upon the rear side of the body portion l forms a tongue or rib 7. Thistongue 7 does not extend through the top of the enlarged portion 4, butends a slight distance below the same, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

Formed in the edge opposite to that in which the tongue 7 is formed is agroove S. The forward edge of said groove lies in the same verticalplane as the face of the body portion l, and where said groove 8 extendsbelow the enlarged portion 4 a cut-away portion 9 similar to thecut-away portion 6 is necessarily formed. in the same horizontal planeas the upper edge of the tongue 7.

In positioning my improved fence around a grave or flower-bed one of thesections is forced or driven in the ground until the enlarged portion 4engaging upon the ground prevents said section from entering farther.The second section is now placed alongside the one already iixed in theground in such a manner as that the tongue 7 upon the fixed sectionengages in the groove b in the section that is being placed in position.Said section is now driven or forced into the ground until the upperedge of the groove 8 engages with the upper edge of the tongue 7 andprevents said section from being driven so far into the ground that thetops of said sections are out of horizontal alignment.

By reference to Fig. l it will be noted that a space is left between theopposite tapered portions of the bodies l, and said space permits thedrainage of any water that may accumulate upon the bed or grave inclosedby my improved fence.

In the construction of my improved fence I prefer to form the separatesections out of some material that will withstand the action of theelements, such as earthenware or various metals; but the same may beconstructed of any material suitable for the purpose for which they areintended.

The portion of the inclosing fence appearing above the ground may bepainted or decorated, as desired.

An inclosing fence of my improved construction is very cheap and simple,and when in position retains its shape without getting out of verticalor horizontal alignment.

I claim- As a new article of manufacture, the fencesection comprisingthe body l tapered downwardly from a point adjacent the middle of itslength on both edges and on one of its sides, having the knife-edge 3 atits lower end, an enlargement 4 formed on one side of said body adistance from each end of the latter to act as a stop in limiting theentrance of the body into the earth, said enlargement being sui-mountedby an ornamental head 5,atongue The upper end of the groove 8 liesv IOU7 on one edge of said body, and the opposite ln testimony whereof Iaffix my signature edge of the latter having a groove or recess 8 inpresence of two Witnesses. therein, said tongue and said groove bothbeing discontinued at a point belowr the upper GEORGE WiLLIAlI SCHAEFER.end of said body, so that a lap-joint will be Vitnesses:

formed thereat when two sections are placed JOHN C. I-IIGDON,

together, substantially as herein specified. MAUD GRIFFIN.

